History of Laurie Hernandez in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 29, 2024

"Lauren Zoe Hernandez is a retired American artistic gymnast best known for her participation in the "Final Five", the U.S. women's gymnastics team that won gold at the 2016 Summer Olympics. Hernandez also secured an individual silver medal on the balance beam at the same event. Although she attempted a comeback in 2018 with the goal of competing in the 2020 Summer Olympics, she was unable to qualify for the Olympic Trials."

June 9, 2000: Birth

Laurie Hernandez was born on June 9, 2000.

2012: Gabby Douglas Wins Olympic All-Around

Gabby Douglas, who later competed alongside Laurie Hernandez, won the Olympic all-around title in 2012.

2012: Elite Career Begins

Laurie Hernandez started her elite gymnastics career, competing in the National Qualifier and qualifying for domestic elite competitions in 2012.

July 2013: Joins U.S. Junior National Team

After competing in the American Classic and the U.S. Classic, Laurie Hernandez was added to the U.S. junior national gymnastics team in July 2013.

September 2013: Junior Japan International

Laurie Hernandez represented the U.S. at the Junior Japan International in September 2013, winning bronze in the all-around and placing in other events.

2014: Injuries

Laurie Hernandez faced setbacks in 2014, fracturing her wrist and dislocating her kneecap and tearing her patellar tendon, but resumed training later that year.

2015: Junior All-Around Champion

Laurie Hernandez became the junior all-around champion at the 2015 City of Jesolo Trophy and continued to win titles at the U.S. Classic and the U.S. Championships in the junior division.

2015: Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships

Laurie Hernandez competed in the Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships, contributing to the American team's first-place finish in 2015.

August 3, 2016: Turns Professional

Laurie Hernandez decided to forgo NCAA eligibility and become a professional athlete on August 3, 2016, leading up to the Olympics.

August 30, 2016: Hernandez Joins Dancing with the Stars

Hernandez was announced as a contestant on season 23 of Dancing with the Stars on August 30, 2016, partnered with Valentin Chmerkovskiy.

November 22, 2016: Hernandez Wins Dancing with the Stars

On November 22, 2016, Hernandez and her partner won the Mirrorball Trophy on Dancing with the Stars, making her the youngest winner at age 16.

November 24, 2016: Hernandez Appears in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Hernandez participated in the 90th anniversary Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 24, 2016, riding on the Spirit of America float.

2016: Senior Debut at City of Jesolo Trophy

In 2016, Laurie Hernandez made her senior debut at the City of Jesolo Trophy, winning bronze in the all-around, silver on vault, and gold on the balance beam.

2016: Olympic Debut

Laurie Hernandez competed in her debut year as a senior gymnast at the 2016 Summer Olympics as part of the "Final Five", winning team gold and an individual silver medal on the balance beam.

2016: Women's Qualification at the Olympics

Laurie Hernandez competed in the women's qualification at the 2016 Summer Olympics, helping the United States team secure first place in team qualifications.

2016: Dancing with the Stars Victory

Laurie Hernandez won season 23 of Dancing with the Stars with partner Val Chmerkovskiy in 2016.

January 24, 2017: Hernandez Releases Memoir

Hernandez released her book, "I Got This: To Gold and Beyond," on January 24, 2017.

November 2017: Hernandez Returns to Dancing with the Stars

Hernandez made a guest appearance on season 25 of Dancing with the Stars in November 2017, performing a trio jive.

2017: Hernandez Narrates Candlelight Processional

Hernandez served as the special guest narrator for the Candlelight Processional at Epcot Center in Disney World from November 24-26, 2017.

October 2018: Return to Gymnastics

Laurie Hernandez returned to gymnastics training in October 2018 after two years off, switching to Gym-Max in California.

2018: Return to Training

After a two-year break, Laurie Hernandez returned to gymnastics training in late 2018, aiming to compete in the 2020 Olympics.

2018: Hernandez Publishes Children's Book

In 2018, Hernandez came out with "She's Got This," a children's book illustrated by Nina Mata.

2019: Hernandez Takes on Various Roles

In 2019, Hernandez lent her voice to the Nickelodeon animated series Middle School Moguls.

2019: National Team Training Camp

Laurie Hernandez was invited to the national team training camp in November 2019.

January 2020: Hernandez Announces Focus on Upcoming Meets

In January 2020, Hernandez shared her plans to participate in several competitions in late May, including the U.S. Classic, U.S. Championships, and U.S. Olympic Trials.

April 2020: Training Camp Invitation and COVID-19 Disruptions

Hernandez was invited to the April national team training camp but it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, along with other competitions for the 2020 season.

May 2020: Hernandez Aims for Late May Competitions

Hernandez had her sights set on competing in the U.S. Classic, U.S. Championships, and U.S. Olympic Trials in late May 2020.

December 2020: Relationship with Charlotte Drury

Laurie Hernandez began dating fellow gymnast Charlotte Drury in December 2020.

2020: Hernandez Covers Olympics as Commentator

Hernandez traveled to Tokyo in 2020 to work as an NBC commentator for the Olympic Games despite not being on the competing team.

2020: Haney Receives Eight-Year Suspension from USA Gymnastics

In 2020, Maggie Haney, Hernandez's former coach, was given an eight-year suspension by USA Gymnastics due to reports of abusive behavior, with Hernandez providing testimony against her.

2020: Missed Olympic Qualification

Laurie Hernandez trained for the 2020 Summer Olympics but did not qualify for the Olympic Trials.

2021: Hernandez Returns to Elite Competition, Faces Setbacks

Hernandez returned to elite gymnastics competition in 2021, participating in the Winter Cup and U.S. Classic. However, a knee injury during the U.S. Championships warm-ups led to her withdrawal from the competition and prevented her from qualifying for the Olympic Trials.

2021: Hernandez Tours and Retires

Hernandez took part in Simone Biles' Gold Over America Tour in 2021 and decided to retire from competitive gymnastics the same year.

2023: Hernandez Guest Stars in The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder

Hernandez appeared as herself in an episode of the Disney+ series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder in 2023, alongside fellow gymnasts Dominique Dawes and Gabby Douglas.